Honkai: Star Rail has a similar Element system to Genshin Impact, where there are a total of seven Elements available. However, unlike its predecessor, Honkai: Star Rail won't have a specific weapon system. This means characters in the game can use any weapon (Light Cone) available.
However, what differentiates the Light Cone system is the character's Path. Path in Honkai: Star Rail is pretty much a "class", where each unit has a predetermined role they can follow. Even though a character can equip any available Light Cones, its passive will not be effective if it's used by a unit from a different Path. For example, Dan Heng can use a Erudition Light Cone, but its passive will be ineffective, so he should use a Hunt Light Cone whenever available. In short, here's how each Path works in Honkai: Star Rail.
Every Path In Honkai: Star Rail
There are a total of seven Paths in Honkai: Star Rail:
- The Destruction: Damage dealer with decent survivability
- The Hunt: Single-target DPS that deals large damage, but is often squishy
- The Erudition: AoE DPS
- The Harmony: Buffer
- The Nihility: Debuffer
- The Preservation: Defensive unit; provides protection like taunt or shield for the team
- The Abundance: Healer
Unlike in Genshin Impact where players must figure out the role of each character themselves, Honkai: Star Rail immediately hints to the players about the role of each unit with the Path system. Nevertheless, despite having a specific Path, there’s nothing stopping players from using a support as a DPS, just like in Genshin Impact. However, note that the Light Cone (weapon) system of Honkai: Star Rail doesn’t allow each Path to exchange the equipment’s passive.
For example, March 7th can freely use a Destruction weapon, but its passive will not activate. So she’s limited to only benefiting from Preservation Light Cone’s passive.
As of the final CBT of Honkai: Star Rail, here’s how each Path works and the available characters inside it.
Destruction Path In Honkai: Star Rail
Characters of this class is a great DPS that can hold their ground in battle. Trailblazer may be a starter character, but their power shouldn’t be underestimated. Players can rely on the MC for both single-target and multi-target scenarios. She’s also great at breaking the enemy’s weakness.
Three 5-star and two 4-star characters are available in the Destruction Path:
- Trailblazer (5-star, Physical)
- Blade (5-star, Wind)
- Clara (5-star, Physical)
- Arlan (4-star, Lightning)
- Hook (4-star, Fire)
Hunt Path In Honkai: Star Rail
Four Hunt DPS are available:
- Seele (5-star, Quantum)
- Yanqing (5-star, Ice)
- Dan Heng (4-star, Wind)
- Sushang (4-star, Physical)
Dan Heng would be players’ first Hunt character, and it’s easily noticeable that he deals great single-target damage. In this Path, Yanqing is available via the Standard Banner while Seele is an event-limited unit. It’s highly recommended to pull for Seele on the release of Honkai: Star Rail as her high single-target damage is extremely handy against bosses.
Erudition Path In Honkai: Star Rail
There are five AoE DPS available in Honkai: Star Rail:
- Himeko (5-star, Fire)
- Jing Yuan (5-star, Lightning)
- Herta (4-star, Ice)
- Qingque (4-star, Quantum)
- Serval (4-star, Lightning)
Erudition characters are great in an AoE scenario. Surprisingly, all three 4-star characters are free in the final CBT version; Herta is obtainable via the Simulated Universe, Serval for playing, and Qingque for completing the Forgotten Hall. Players will also get to try Himeko in the story, although very briefly.
Some of these Erudition units have a follow-up mechanic, where certain scenarios will make them hit the enemy automatically. This can come in handy in many situations, but at times, it can also cause them to get killed by accident.
Harmony Path In Honkai: Star Rail
There are only three Harmony units in Honkai: Star Rail:
- Bronya (5-star, Wind)
- Tingyun (4-star, Lightning)
- Asta (4-star, Fire)
Bronya is an amazing support that can enhance DMG and make a character move immediately; she’s like the combination of both Tingyun and Asta. Tingyun grants ATK buff and can restore Energy, while Asta is great at breaking weakness, buffing ATK, and increasing SPD.
Nihility Path In Honkai: Star Rail
The five Nihility characters known are:
- Kafka (5-star, Lightning)
- Silver Wolf (5-star, Quantum)
- Welt (5-star, Imaginary)
- Sampo (4-star, Wind)
- Pela (4-star, Ice)
Preservation Path In Honkai: Star Rail
Among the Preservation Path in Honkai: Star Rail, two of them are available for free:
- Trailblazer (5-star, Fire)
- Fu Xuan (5-star, Quantum)
- Gepard (5-star, Ice)
- March 7th (4-star, Ice)
The Preservation version of Trailblazer can be unlocked by progressing through the main story. It’s possible that the MC will eventually get all versions of the Path, similar to the Traveler in Genshin Impact.
Abundance Path In Honkai: Star Rail
There are three characters in the Abundance class:
- Natalia (4-star, Physical)
- Bailu (5-star, Lightning)
- Luocha (5-star, Imaginary)
Since there’s currently only one 4-star healer, Natalia is the only one easily obtainable. Fortunately, she’s also granted for free by progressing through the story.
Honkai: Star Rail is currently in development for Android, iOS, and PC, with the game being expected to release in spring 2023, most likely on April 26.